Methods and systems for operating a touch screen enabled device with a stylus

ABSTRACT

Operating touch screen enabled electronic devices is described. A contact of a capacitive stylus with a capacitive touch screen display panel is detected. A stylus tip characteristic is determined in relation to a contact surface of the touch screen display panel and the capacitive stylus based on the detection of the contact therewith and a size of the contact surface. An input by a user is communicated to the application based on the determined stylus tip characteristic or a capacitive signature of the stylus.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS AND BENEFIT CLAIM

The present Application claims the benefit of priority to relatedco-pending Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 61/810,578 filed Apr.10, 2013 by Jen-Hsun Huang and Arman Toorians for Methods for Operationa Touch Screen Enabled Device with a Low Cost Stylus (Attorney DocketNo. NVID-113306P/SC-13-0411-USO; U.S.P.T.O. Confirmation No. 6928),which is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully setforth herein.

The present Application claims the benefit of priority to relatedco-pending Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 61/810,997 filed Apr.11, 2013 by Christian Pedersen and Arman Toorians for Pen Signaling forCapacitive Touch Panels (Attorney Docket No.NVID-113307P/SC-13-0412-USO; U.S.P.T.O. Confirmation No. 2939), which isincorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNOLOGY

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to electronicdevices with interactive displays. More specifically, exampleembodiments of the present invention relate to operating touch screenenabled electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Touch screens comprise user-interactive electronic displays. Touchscreens provide graphical user interface (GUI) operability by directuser interactions with portions of the information being displayed. Theuser interactions allow direct user control over selecting informationto be displayed on the touch screen and the appearance of the displayedinformation, including electronic drawing applications. As touch screensobviate components otherwise needed for GUI functionality, they areparticularly useful in small form factor, lightweight, oftenbattery-powered electronic devices such as smart phones and tabletcomputers, etc. Various types of touch screens are in current use.

Capacitive touch screens have superior accuracy and responsivenesscharacteristics relative to other common types. Capacitive touch screendisplays have an electrically insulating transparent display surfacesuch as glass or plastic covered by an array of transparent (ormicroscopic) conductors, which develop an electrostatic field over thedisplay surface. Users may interact with capacitive touch screens usingtheir finger digits or a pen type or stylus device. Styli, pens andfingers have their own capacitance or active characteristics, whicheffectively enable and affect their use for signaling with the touchscreen display. When a user touches (or in some cases, nearly touches orgestures in proximity with) the display surface with the stylus orfinger, the electrostatic field is distorted detectably by thecapacitance caused by the interaction.

The distortion in the electrostatic field may be detected as a measuredchange in a capacitance value at the horizontal (x-axis) and vertical(y-axis) position of contact of the stylus or finger with respect to theplanar rectangular display surface. The position of contact maycorrespond to the position of at least a pixel in an interactive imagerendered on the display.

For example, a box shaped image feature labeled “enter,” “go,” “yes” or“no,” “get,” “cancel,” “stop,” etc. shown in the rendered screen imagemay comprise a GUI “button” with which a corresponding user input isactuated by touching the box with the stylus or finger. The user inputcorresponding to a programmed selection is sent to a controller modulebased on the touch at the detected location. The controller may beoperable for calling, triggering, initiating, controlling, computing,performing, executing or halting a processing function corresponding tothe programmed selection.

The terms “pen” and “stylus” (and their respective plurals “pens” and“styli”) may be used herein synonymously, interchangeably and/orequivalently. Capacitive and active pens are in current use, each ofwhich typically operates over an upper surface of a capacitive touchscreen. Capacitive pens (also called “passive” pens) are typicallyoperable in contact with the touch screen surface.

Capacitive pens are implemented conventionally by scanning lines andthereby detecting an area or region of a part of the screen over whichthe pen top contacts the surface, the (x, y) coordinates of a centroidof the detected contact area and a size “z” of a circle with which a tipof the pen makes contact with the screen surface. Conventionalcapacitive pens are operable for reporting simply the detected area, (x,y) centroid coordinates and z size to an operating system (OS) of thetouch screen device and applications running therewith. Whileconventional capacitive pens are operable for effectively substitutingfor a user's finger to signal the touch screen panel, they lackcapability for reporting additional information or communicating achange from one mode of operation, such as “writing,” to another mode ofoperation, such as “erasing.”

Current active pens on the other hand may be operably implemented toreport additional information, unavailable from conventional capacitivepens, which may be useful to the touch screen device OS and/orapplications. For example, active pens are operable for communicating achange from one mode of operation to another, such as from “writing” to“erasing.” Additional useful information active pens may report includedata relating to the shape of a tip of the pen, an angle of the pen tiprelative to the touch screen surface, one or more “buttons” or otheroperable feature actuators of the active pen. The actuators enable ortrigger special or specific features available from the active pen. Thespecial features available from active pens may include an operableeraser feature, writing color selection, type selection, model orcharacteristic selectivity, pressure data, tip weight or thicknessselectivity and/or data relating to an angle of the longitudinal axis ofthe pen as it is held or maneuvered by the user relative to the planarsurface of the touch screen.

While such additional information and mode changes current active penscan report may be useful, the active pens are significantly moreexpensive than capacitive pens. Moreover, active pens require associatedactive circuits and communicative interconnectivity such as a dedicatedwireless radio or infrared channel for data exchange with the paddevice, which adds undesirable complexity as well as higher cost.

Approaches described in this section may, but have not necessarily beenconceived or pursued previously. Unless otherwise indicated, approachesmentioned (or issues identified in relation thereto) should not to beassumed as admitted or as recognized in any alleged prior art merely byinclusion in this section.

SUMMARY

It would be useful to increase the signaling operability of capacitivestyli for actuating standard capacitive touch screen display panelswithout adding complexity to the interactive touch screen system orincurring significant additional expense. It would also be useful toprovide a capacitive stylus configurably operable for interacting with acapacitive touch screen display over multiple independently selectablefeatures without requiring an intermediating communication device, andwhich is inexpensive relative to typical active styli. Further, it wouldbe useful to provide a touch sensitive interactive system in which userinputs from an inexpensive capacitive stylus are made without requiringintermediating communication to a touch screen display device toselectively engage various independently available operability featuresof the stylus.

An example embodiment of the present invention increases the signalingoperability of capacitive styli for actuating standard capacitive touchscreen display panels without adding complexity to the interactive touchscreen system or significant additional cost. An example embodiment ofthe present invention provides a capacitive stylus, which is inexpensiverelative to typical active styli and configurably operable forinteracting with a capacitive touch screen display over multipleindependently selectable features without an intermediatingcommunication device. An example embodiment of the present inventionprovides a touch sensitive interactive system in which user inputs froman inexpensive capacitive stylus are made without intermediatingcommunication to a touch screen display device for selectively engagingvarious independently available operability features of the stylus.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to signalingtouch screen enabled electronic devices with a capacitive electronicstylus having a body suitable for being hand held as a writinginstrument. Operating touch screen enabled electronic devices isdescribed. A contact of a capacitive stylus with a capacitive touchscreen display panel is detected. A stylus tip characteristic isdetermined in relation to a contact surface of the touch screen displaypanel and the capacitive stylus based on the detection of the contacttherewith and a size of the contact surface. An input by a user iscommunicated to the application based on the determined stylus tipcharacteristic.

The stylus tip characteristic may include a contour of the stylus tip, ashape of the stylus tip, a pattern of the stylus tip, a capacitance ofthe stylus tip, and/or a pressure of the stylus tip against the touchscreen display panel surface. The contour of the stylus tip may comprisea fine contour, in which the communicated input relates to fine writingusing a movement of the stylus by the user upon the touch screen panelsurface.

The contour of the stylus tip may comprises a course contour, in whichthe communicated input relates to course writing using a movement of thestylus by the user upon the touch screen display panel surface or ahighlighting effect using a movement of the stylus by the user upon thetouch screen display panel surface.

The shape of the stylus tip may include a circle, an ovoid, an ellipse,a torus, a sector (“Pac-Man”), a cross (X), and a pair of parallel barsjoined at a midpoint of each by a perpendicular bar (H).

The shape of the stylus tip may include a pair of concentric rings, inwhich an outer ring of the concentric pair of rings is conductive. Aninner ring of the concentric pair of rings is nonconductive andconcentrically surrounds a substantially central conductor. Thecommunicated input may relate to an eraser operation of the stylus.

The computer capacitive stylus may include an actuator and a variablecapacitor operable for controllably changing the capacitance of thestylus tip responsive to a manipulation by the user of the actuatorcomponent. The communicated input relates to a selection of a writingcolor based on a detected stylus tip capacitance.

The stylus may include a body component suitable for being hand held bythe user as a writing instrument, which has the tip is disposed at anend of the body. A spring is disposed within the body for mechanicallyloading the pressure of the stylus tip against the touch screen displaypanel surface responsive to a force applied by the user to the stylusbody. The communicated input may thus relate to selecting a linethickness for writing upon the touch screen display panel surface.

The stylus body may comprise an insulating material with a tip disposedat the end of the body for interfacing with a touch screen display panelof the computer system and a pattern of multiple capacitive conductorsdisposed in an array over the body. Each of the plurality of capacitiveconductors are insulated from each other by the insulating nonconductivematerial. The touch screen display panel is operable for detecting acapacitive signature of the pattern when interacting with the touchscreen display panel and is operable for interacting with an applicationrunning on a computer system by communicating a characteristic of theelectronic stylus based on the detected capacitive signature. Thus, theidentity, type, style or use of a stylus may be determined and/or afeature of the pen or its operability may be unlocked, with the styluspattern acting as a unique key associated therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts an example capacitive stylus, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 1B depicts an example selector, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an example computer system, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts example signals, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 depicts example signals, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 depicts example signals, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 depicts example pen tips, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart for an example computer implemented process,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart for an example computer implemented process,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts an example pen tip, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 depicts example signals, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 depicts example pen tip shapes, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 12 depicts example pen tip shapes, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 13 depicts an example pen tip controller, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 depicts an example stylus, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 depicts an example computer system, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 16 depicts an example stylus, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments of the present invention are described below inrelation to signaling touch screen enabled electronic devices. Thedescription of example embodiments includes computer implementedmethods, computer systems with interactive touch screen displays, andstyli and related pen like devices for interacting therewith. Referencewill now be made in detail to implementations of the example embodimentsas illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numberswill be used to the extent possible throughout the drawings and thefollowing description to refer to the same or like items. It should beapparent to artisans of ordinary skill in technologies that relate tocomputer systems and interactive displays, graphical user interfaces(GUIs) and other electronic fields however, that example embodiments ofthe present invention may be practiced without some of thesespecifically described details. Example embodiments of the presentinvention are described in relation to computer implemented methods,computer systems and devices for interacting therewith for signalingtouch screen enabled electronic devices.

For focus, clarity and brevity, as well as to avoid unnecessarilyoccluding, obscuring, obstructing or obfuscating features that may besomewhat more germane to, or significant in explaining exampleembodiments of the present invention, this description may avoiddescribing some well-known processes, structures, components and devicesin exhaustive detail. Artisans of ordinarily skill in technologiesrelated to computers, GUIs, touch screen display devices and otherinteractive electronic devices should realize that the followingdescription is made for purposes of explanation and illustration and isnot intended to be limiting in any way. On the contrary; otherembodiments should readily suggest themselves to artisans of such skillin relation to the example features and elements described herein andany corresponding benefits such embodiments may achieve. An exampleembodiment of the present invention is described in relation to inrelation to a computer implemented method, computer system, devices forinteracting therewith for signaling touch screen enabled electronicdevices, such as computers with capacitive touch screen displays.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to signalingtouch screen enabled electronic devices with a capacitive electronicstylus having a body suitable for being hand held as a writinginstrument. Operating touch screen enabled electronic devices isdescribed. A contact of a capacitive stylus with a capacitive touchscreen display panel is detected. A stylus tip characteristic isdetermined in relation to a contact surface of the touch screen displaypanel and the capacitive stylus based on the detection of the contacttherewith and a size of the contact surface. An input by a user iscommunicated to the application based on the determined stylus tipcharacteristic and/or a capacitive signature of the stylus.

Example Electronic Stylus

FIG. 1A depicts an example electronic stylus 10, according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention. The electronic stylus 10 comprisesa body 11 suitable for being hand held by a user as a writinginstrument.

The body 11 comprises a tip 14 at one end for interfacing with a touchpanel, wherein the tip 14 touches a portion thereof. An insulator 12disposed near the tip 14 insulates capacitance of the body 11 from thetip 14. A switch unit 15 selectively couples the tip 14 electrically toa remainder portion of the body 11 opposite from the tip 14 in relationto the insulator 12.

A controller 16, such as a microcontroller or a field programmable gatearray (FPGA), controls an operation of the switch unit 15. A modeselector 17 is disposed on the body 11. In an example embodiment, themode selector 17 is operably responsive to an actuating pressure made bya user of the electronic stylus 10 to signal the controller 16.

The mode selector 19 may comprise a single mechanical orelectromechanical button, dial, or similar actuating mechanism, whichmay actuate an associated array of electrical contacts disposed withinthe body 11. The mode selector may comprise a plurality of mechanical orelectromechanical buttons, which may each actuate a separatecorresponding electrical contact. FIG. 1B depicts another example modeselector 17, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theselector 17 comprises individual buttons, each with assignedfunctionality.

The controller 16 is configured or programmed to enter one of multiple(a plurality of) modes responsive to the signal of the mode selector 17.The controller 16 is configured or programmed to control the switch unit15 to switch in accordance with different signal patterns depending on amode entered by the controller 16. The electronic stylus 10 may furthercomprise a display housed on the body 11. The display is operable forpresenting a representative indication of a current mode of thecontroller 16 or other useful indicia.

An example embodiment may be implemented in which the multiple modescorrespond to multiple different writing color representations, withwhich the stylus 10 may write on the surface of the touch screen displaywhen enabled with a drawing application. The different signal patternsmay comprise square signal waves of a certain frequency, which vary fromeach other by their individual duty cycles to indicate different colorvalues. The different signal patterns may also comprise square signalwaves having a given duty cycle, which vary from each other by theirindividual frequency to indicate different color values.

Example Touch Sensitive Computer System

FIG. 2 depicts an example touch sensitive computer system 20, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The touch sensitive system 20comprises a capacitive touch screen display panel 21 and a controller 22coupled to scan the capacitance touch display panel 21 for detectingcapacitance thereof.

Control logic 23 is coupled to the controller 22 for detecting aposition of an interaction of an object 25 with the capacitive touchdisplay panel 21, relative to its substantially rectangular touchsensitive surface. Responsive to the detection of the position of theinteraction with the object 25, the control logic 23 is operable forreporting a corresponding horizontal/vertical (x, y) position thereof.

The control logic 23 is operable in combination with the controller 22for detecting a capacitive signal pattern originating from the object25. Responsive to the detection of the capacitive signal pattern, thecontrol logic 23 is operable for reporting a type corresponding to thesignal, with which the signal is characterized. The type signal maycomprise a color type. In this manner, different color values may beselected by the pen interface and communicated to the computer system bythe signal pattern. The object 25 may comprise a stylus and the colortype may correspond to a color with which the stylus may write to thetouch sensitive display panel 21. A selected color pattern may bemaintained until changed via a new selection and a new patternimplemented.

An example embodiment may be implemented in which the capacitive signalpattern comprises a square wave of a prescribed duty cycle and/or asquare wave of a prescribed frequency. Different signal patterns mayeach comprise square signal waves of a certain frequency, which varyfrom each other by their individual duty cycles. Different signalpatterns may also comprise square signal waves, each of which has agiven duty cycle but varies from the other square wave signals by aunique individual frequency.

The control logic 23 and the controller 22 are operable in combinationfor detecting an area of a portion of the surface of the touch sensitivedisplay panel 21 over which the object 25 interaction therewith.Responsive to the detection of the area of the interaction, the controllogic is further operable for reporting a magnitude corresponding to theinteraction.

In an example embodiment, the touch sensitive system 20 furthercomprises a processor 27 and a memory 28 coupled thereto. An operatingsystem (OS) 29 resides in the memory 28 and is executed by the processor27. The control logic 23 reports the detected (x, y) position and thetype of the signal to the OS 29, (x, y, type).

FIG. 3 depicts a waveform of an example set 30 of type signals,according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The set 30of type signals comprises a first type signal 31, a second type signal32 and a third type signal 33, each of which has the same duty factorbut a different frequency. Each of the different frequencies correspondsto a separate color representation.

For example, the first signal type 31 has a frequency of 140 Hertz (Hz),which may correspond to rendering a representation of a blue color onthe capacitive touch screen display panel. The second signal type 32 hasa frequency of 150 Hz, which may correspond to rendering arepresentation of a red color on the capacitive touch screen displaypanel. The third signal type 33 has a frequency of 160 Hz, which maycorrespond to rendering a representation of a green color on thecapacitive touch screen display panel. The signal frequency selectedshould be less than half of the touch sensitive panel's updatefrequency, e.g., 300 Hz.

Other colors may be represented by signal types having otherfrequencies, and sharing the same duty cycle. Other frequencies may beimplemented with the same duty cycle.

FIG. 4 depicts a waveform of an example set 40 of type signals,according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The set 40of type signals comprises a fourth type signal 41, and a fifth typesignal 42, each of which has the same frequency (e.g., 150 Hz) but adifferent duty cycle. Each of the different duty cycles may correspondto a separate operability function.

For example, the fourth signal type 41 has a lower duty cycle than thefifth type signal 42 and may correspond to an operable writing function.The fifth signal type 42 has a higher duty cycle than the fourth typesignal 41 and may correspond to an erasing function. Other operatingfunctions may be represented by type signals having other duty cyclesthat share a particular frequency, and other frequencies may be used.

FIG. 5 depicts an example set 50 of waveforms corresponding to separatecapacitive input signals, according to an example embodiment of thepresent invention. The set 50 of waveforms has a first waveform 51 and asecond waveform 52. The first waveform 51 corresponds to an input to acapacitive touch screen display device by a capacitive stylus. Incontrast, the second waveform 52 corresponds to an input to a capacitivetouch screen display device by a finger of a user.

FIG. 6 depicts a set 60 of example pen tips for a capacitive stylus,according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The set 60of example pen tips comprises a first tip 61, a second tip 62 and athird tip 63. The first tip 61 may have a lower area of contact with thesurface of a capacitive touch screen display than the second tip 62and/or the third tip 63. The first tip 61 may input thus input a firsttype signal, which may relate to a writing function.

Each of the second tip 62 and/or the third tip 63 may have a higher areaof contact with the surface of a capacitive touch screen display thanthe first tip 61, and/or a shape covering a contact area different thanthe shape of the first tip 61. The second tip 62 may input thus input asecond type signal, which may relate to an eraser operating functionand/or the third tip 63 may thus input a third type signal, which mayrelate to another operating function. The tips are distinguishable fromeach other via the area of contact mode by each against the surface ofthe touch sensitive screen.

Example Computer Implemented Processes

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart for an example computer implemented process70, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. Processmay comprise a computer implemented method for interfacing with anapplication running thereon.

In process step 71, an interactive surface of a capacitive touch screendisplay panel with is contacted with a tip of a capacitive stylus, whichmay affect an electrical, electrostatic and/or capacitive charge fieldof the surface.

In process step 72, the capacitive touch screen display panel iscontrollably scanned to detecting a capacitance thereof. In process step73, a position of an interaction of the capacitive stylus with thecapacitive touch screen display panel is detected based on thecontrollable scanning. An (x, y) value is determined.

In process step 74, a horizontally and vertically defined (x, y)position of the detected stylus-screen interaction is reported. Inprocess step 75, a capacitive signal pattern originating from thecapacitive stylus is detected. In process step 76; a type signalcorresponding to the detected capacitive signal pattern is reported tothe application along with the position.

The type signal corresponds to representing a color type or otheroperability value such as an erase function. The capacitive signalpattern may comprise a square wave of a prescribed duty cycle, or asquare wave of a prescribed frequency but having a varying duty cycle.The detection of the capacitive signal pattern may include detecting anarea of the interaction. The reporting the type signal may thus includereporting a magnitude corresponding to the detected interaction area.

The capacitive stylus is operable for changing a mode of operating basedon a user input thereto. The reporting the type signal may thus includereporting a change in the detected capacitive signal patterncorresponding to the changing the operating mode.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart for an example computer implemented process80 for interacting with an application running on a computer system,according to an embodiment of the present invention. In process step 81,a contact of a capacitive stylus with a capacitive touch screen displaypanel is detected.

In process step 82, a characteristic related to a contact surface of thetouch screen display panel and the capacitive stylus tip is determinedbased on the detection of the contact therewith and a size (area) of thecontact surface. In process step 83, a user input to the application iscommunicated based on the determined stylus tip characteristic.

FIG. 9 depicts an example stylus 90, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The stylus has a body 91 and a tip 92. Acharacteristic of the tip 92 may relate to a contour of the stylus tip,a shape of the stylus tip, a pattern of the stylus tip, a capacitance ofthe stylus tip, and/or a pressure of the stylus tip against the touchscreen display panel surface.

The contour 91 of the stylus tip may comprise a fine contour and thecommunicated input relate to fine writing, using a movement of thestylus by the user upon the touch screen panel surface. The contour ofthe stylus tip may include a course contour 94 and the communicatedinput relate to course writing using a movement of the stylus by theuser upon the touch screen display panel surface, or to a highlightingeffect 95 using a movement of the stylus by the user upon the touchscreen display panel surface.

The capacitive stylus comprise a body component 91 suitable for beinghand held by the user as a writing instrument, wherein the tip 92 isdisposed at an end of the body 91. A spring component 96 may be disposedwithin the body 91 for mechanically loading the pressure of the stylustip 92 against the touch screen display panel surface responsive to aforce applied by the user to the stylus body 91. The communicated inputmay thus include selecting a line thickness for writing upon the touchscreen display panel surface.

The stylus tip 92 may be made from a deformable material such asconductive silicon. The pressure applied to the tip via the stylusresults in compression of the tip and therefore an increase in thesurface area contact. In this fashion, pressure can be detected and usedto vary the line thickness of the resulting drawn line.

FIG. 10 depicts a set 100 of example waveforms, according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention. The example waveforms representpressure via varying signals. A profile of the example waveforms in theset 100 correspond to capacitive signals that vary the level of pressureexerted by the stylus tip 92 to the touch screen display panel surface.The waveform profile 101 may thus correspond to a pressure level that isheavy in relation to the waveform profile 102, each of which may relateto separate type signals.

FIG. 11 depicts an example set 1100 of pen tip shapes, according to anexample embodiment of the present invention. The various shapes can berepresented via a mixture of conductive and non-conductive materialfabricated together in accordance to portions that comprise the givenshape. The shape of the stylus tip may comprise a circle 1105A or 1105B(or ovoids, ellipses, etc.), each having different sizes, a torus(“doughnut”) 1101, a sector (e.g., a “Pac-Man” style shape) 1102, across (x, +, etc.) 1104, and/or a pair of parallel bars joined at amidpoint of each by a perpendicular bar (H) 1103. Each of the shapes mayinput a different type signal than the other shapes when contacting thetouch sensitive surface. These different shapes may involve differentfunctionality when detected by the touch panel, e.g., erasurefunctionality.

FIG. 12 depicts an example set 1200 of pen tip shapes, according to anexample embodiment of the present invention. The shape of the stylus tipmay comprises a pair 1201 of concentric rings, in which an outer ring ofthe concentric pair of rings is conductive and an inner circle of theconcentric pair of circles is nonconductive and concentrically surroundsa substantially central conductor. The communicated input may thuscomprise an input relating to an eraser operation of the stylus. Theshape of the stylus tip may also comprise a pair of parallel conductorbars 1202, each separated by an insulator or dielectric 1203. These “barcode” type tips can be effective as locks or keys, which may be used tolock or unlock a computer system by application of the array onto adesignated area of a touch sensitive screen.

FIG. 13 depicts an example capacitive stylus 1300, according to anexample embodiment of the present invention. The capacitive stylus 1300comprises an actuator component 1301 and a variable capacitor component1302. The variable capacitor component 1302 is operable for controllablychanging the capacitance of the stylus tip 1303 responsive to amanipulation by the user of the actuator component 1301. Thecommunicated input may thus comprise a selection of a writing colorbased on a detected stylus tip capacitance.

FIG. 14 depicts an example capacitive stylus 1400, according to anexample embodiment of the present invention. The electronic stylus 1400is operable for interacting with an application running on a computersystem. The electronic stylus 1400 has a body 1401 suitable for beinghand held as a writing instrument and comprising an insulating material.

The electronic stylus 1400 has a tip 1402 disposed at the end of thebody 1401 for interfacing with a touch screen display panel of thecomputer system. The electronic stylus 1400 has a pattern comprising aplurality of (multiple) capacitive conductors 1401, 1402, 1403 and 1404disposed in an array 1405 over the body 1401; any number of capacitivenumbers may be included. Each of the multiple capacitive conductors1401-1404, inclusive are insulated from each other by the insulatingnonconductive material of the body 1401.

The touch screen display panel is operable for detecting a capacitivesignature of the pattern 1405 when interacting with the touch screendisplay panel and is operable for interacting with an applicationrunning on a computer system by communicating a characteristic of theelectronic stylus 1400 based on the detected capacitive signature.

The pattern 1405 may correspond to a particular size of the electronicstylus 1400, a particular shape of the electronic stylus 1400, and/or aparticular type of the electronic stylus 1400.

The pattern 1405 may uniquely correspond to a key, e.g., bar codepattern, for operably unlocking a particular electronic stylus 1400, toa particular feature of the electronic stylus 1400 and/or to aparticular identity of the electronic stylus 1400 or a user thereof.

FIG. 15 depicts an example touch sensitive computer system 1500,according to an example embodiment of the present invention. Computersystem 1500 has a capacitive touch screen display panel 1501. Acontroller 1503 is operable for scanning the capacitive touch screendisplay panel 1501 for detecting capacitance thereon and changes in theelectric field associated with the panel caused by interactions withexternal capacitance sources.

For example, external objects that may touch (or closely approach) anouter surface of the capacitive touch screen display panel 1501 disturbthe electrostatic field thereof. Control logic 1505 is coupled to thecontroller 1503 and operable therewith for detecting an interaction ofan object with the capacitive touch screen display panel and responsivethereto for reporting a corresponding input to an application operablewith the capacitive touch screen display panel relating to acharacteristic of the object.

The characteristic of the object relates to a tip of the object. Anexample embodiment may be implemented in which the characteristic of theobject relates to a characteristic of a tip of the object. Thecharacteristic may relate to a contour of the tip, a shape of the tip, aconductive pattern on the tip of the object, a capacitance of the tip ofthe object, and/or a pressure of the tip of the object against a surfaceof the touch screen display panel 1501.

An example embodiment may be implemented in which the characteristic ofthe object relates to a body of the object. FIG. 16 depicts an examplestylus object 1600, according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention. Stylus 1600 has a tip 1609 disposed at a first end of a bodycomponent 1601. The tip 1607 may be configured to be operated as awriting nib, brush and/or highlighting applicator. Stylus 1600 has a tip1609 at a second end of the body component 1601, opposite from the firstend. The tip 1609 may be of a unique shape or larger than the first tipand may be configured to be operated as an eraser.

The body 1601 comprises an insulating material with good dielectricproperties such as a polymer, plastic, acrylic, ceramic, glass, carbonfiber reinforced polymer, wood or the like. A plurality of (multiple)capacitive conductors is disposed in an array or pattern 1605 over thebody 1601. Each of the multiple capacitive conductors of the pattern1616 is insulated from each other by the insulating material of the body1601.

Each of the multiple capacitive conductors may be separated from one ormore of the other capacitive conductors by a different amount or lengthof the insulating material to form a particular pattern 1605. Each ofthe multiple capacitive conductors may have matching or uniqueindividual mass, size, thickness, contour, conductivity and/orcapacitance properties. The particular form of pattern 1605 and theproperties of each of the multiple conductors combine to present acertain capacitive signature. The touch screen display panel is operablefor detecting the capacitive signature of the array of capacitiveconductors.

The pattern 1605 may uniquely correspond to a particular size of theelectronic stylus, a particular shape of the electronic stylus, aparticular type of the electronic stylus, a particular feature of theelectronic stylus, and/or a particular identity of the electronicstylus. Moreover, the pattern may uniquely correspond to a key foroperably unlocking a particular electronic stylus or a particularfeature thereof.

An example embodiment of the present invention described in relation tosignaling touch screen enabled electronic devices thus increases thesignaling operability of capacitive styli for actuating standardcapacitive touch screen display panels without adding complexity to theinteractive touch screen system or significant additional cost. Anexample embodiment of the present invention provides a capacitivestylus, which is inexpensive relative to typical active styli andconfigurably operable for interacting with a capacitive touch screendisplay over multiple independently selectable features without anintermediating communication device. An example embodiment of thepresent invention provides a touch sensitive interactive system in whichuser inputs from an inexpensive capacitive stylus are made withoutintermediating communication to a touch screen display device forselectively engaging various independently available operabilityfeatures of the stylus.

Thus, an example embodiment of the present invention is described inrelation to signaling touch screen enabled electronic devices with acapacitive electronic stylus having a body suitable for being hand heldas a writing instrument. The body has a tip for interfacing with acapacitive touch screen display panel of a computer system. Theelectronic stylus has an insulator, which insulates electricalcapacitance of the stylus body. The insulator is disposed near the tipof the stylus. A switch unit selectively couples the tip to theremaining parts of the stylus body. A controller component controls theswitch unit. A mode selector is disposed on the body. The mode selectoris responsive to being pressed by a user's finger to signal thecontroller for selecting one of multiple modes. The controller isconfigured to enter the selected mode responsive to the mode selector.The controller is configured to control the switch unit to switch inaccordance with different signal patterns depending on a mode entered bythe controller.

Definitions that are expressly set forth in each or any claimspecifically or by way of example herein, for terms contained inrelation to features of such claims are intended to govern the meaningof such terms. Thus, no limitation, element, property, feature,advantage or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim shouldlimit the scope of such claim in any way. The specification and drawingsare, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than arestrictive sense.

What is claimed, is:
 1. A computer implemented method for interactingwith an application running on a computer system, the method comprising:detecting a contact of a capacitive stylus with a capacitive touchscreen display panel; determining a stylus tip characteristic inrelation to a contact surface of the touch screen display panel and thecapacitive stylus based on the detection of the contact therewith and asize of the contact surface; and communicating an input by a user to theapplication based on the determined stylus tip characteristic.
 2. Thecomputer implemented method as recited in claim 1 wherein the stylus tipcharacteristic comprises one or more of: a contour of the stylus tip; ashape of the stylus tip; a pattern of the stylus tip; a capacitance ofthe stylus tip; and a pressure of the stylus tip against the touchscreen display panel surface.
 3. The computer implemented method asrecited in claim 2 wherein the contour of the stylus tip comprises afine contour and wherein the communicated input comprises an inputrelating to fine writing using a movement of the stylus by the user uponthe touch screen panel surface.
 4. The computer implemented method asrecited in claim 2 wherein the contour of the stylus tip comprises acourse contour and wherein the communicated input comprises an inputrelating to one or more of course writing using a movement of the stylusby the user upon the touch screen display panel surface or ahighlighting effect using a movement of the stylus by the user upon thetouch screen display panel surface.
 5. The computer implemented methodas recited in claim 2 wherein the shape of the stylus tip comprises oneor more of a circle, an ovoid, an ellipse, a torus, a sector(“Pac-Man”), a cross (X), and a pair of parallel bars joined at amidpoint of each by a perpendicular bar (H).
 6. The computer implementedmethod as recited in claim 2 wherein the shape of the stylus tipcomprises a pair of concentric rings, wherein an outer ring of theconcentric pair of rings is conductive, wherein an inner circle of theconcentric pair of circles is nonconductive and concentrically surroundsa substantially central conductor, and wherein the communicated inputcomprises an input relating to an eraser operation of the stylus.
 7. Thecomputer implemented method as recited in claim 2 wherein the capacitivestylus comprises: an actuator component; and a variable capacitorcomponent operable for controllably changing the capacitance of thestylus tip responsive to a manipulation by the user of the actuatorcomponent; and wherein the communicated input comprises a selection of awriting color based on a detected stylus tip capacitance.
 8. Thecomputer implemented method as recited in claim 2 wherein the styluscomprises: a body component suitable for being hand held by the user asa writing instrument, wherein the tip is disposed at an end of the body;and a spring component disposed within the body for mechanically loadingthe pressure of the stylus tip against the touch screen display panelsurface responsive to a force applied by the user to the stylus body;wherein the communicated input comprises a selection of a line thicknessfor writing upon the touch screen display panel surface.
 9. Anelectronic stylus operable for interacting with an application runningon a computer system, the electronic stylus comprising: a body suitablefor being hand held as a writing instrument and comprising an insulatingmaterial; a tip disposed at the end of the body for interfacing with atouch screen display panel of the computer system; and a patterncomprising a plurality of capacitive conductors disposed in an arrayover the body wherein each of the plurality of capacitive conductors areinsulated from each other by the insulating nonconductive material,wherein the touch screen display panel is operable for detecting acapacitive signature of the pattern when interacting with the touchscreen display panel and is operable for interacting with an applicationrunning on a computer system by communicating a characteristic of theelectronic stylus based on the detected capacitive signature.
 10. Theelectronic stylus as recited in claim 10 wherein the pattern correspondsto a particular size of the electronic stylus.
 11. The electronic stylusas recited in claim 10 wherein the pattern uniquely corresponds to aparticular shape of the electronic stylus.
 12. The electronic stylus asrecited in claim 10 wherein the pattern uniquely corresponds to aparticular type of the electronic stylus.
 13. The electronic stylus asrecited in claim 10 wherein the pattern uniquely corresponds to a keyfor operably unlocking a particular electronic stylus.
 14. Theelectronic stylus as recited in claim 10 wherein the pattern uniquelycorresponds to a particular feature of the electronic stylus.
 15. Theelectronic stylus as recited in claim 10 wherein the pattern uniquelycorresponds to a particular identity of the electronic stylus.
 16. Atouch sensitive system, comprising: a capacitive touch screen displaypanel; a controller coupled to scan the capacitive touch screen displaypanel for detecting capacitance thereon; and control logic coupled tothe controller for detecting an interaction of an object with thecapacitive touch screen display panel and responsive thereto forreporting a corresponding input to an application operable with thecapacitive touch screen display panel relating to a characteristic ofthe object.
 17. The touch sensitive system as recited in claim 16wherein the characteristic of the object relates to a tip of the object.18. The touch sensitive system as recited in claim 17 wherein thecharacteristic of the object relates to one or more of: a contour of thetip of the object; a shape of the tip of the object; a conductivepattern on the tip of the object; a capacitance of the tip of theobject; and a pressure of the tip of the object against a surface of thetouch screen display panel.
 19. The touch sensitive system as recited inclaim 16 wherein the characteristic of the object relates to a body ofthe object.
 20. The touch sensitive system as recited in claim 19wherein the body of the object comprises an insulating material, whereinthe object comprises a plurality of capacitive conductors disposed in anarray over the body of the object wherein each of the plurality ofcapacitive conductors are insulated from each other by the insulatingmaterial thereof, and wherein the touch screen display panel is operablefor detecting a capacitive signature of the array of capacitiveconductors.